Isometric placement of lateral ulnar collateral ligament reconstructions: a biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND: Lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) reconstruction using a tendon graft is a well-accepted procedure used in the treatment of posterolateral rotatory instability. However, unlike most other ligament reconstructions, anatomical guidelines for the isometric points for tunnel placement of LUCL reconstruction have not been defined. PURPOSE: To determine if isometric points exist for tunnel placement for LUCL reconstruction and, if so, to determine their anatomical guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: A series of 1.8-mm drill holes was placed in potential ligament reconstruction origin and insertion sites in 13 normal cadaveric elbows along the supinator crest of the ulna and in the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. The prepared specimens were mounted in a plastic test frame with electromagnetic sensors inserted into the drill holes. The distance between each potential pair of insertion sites was measured throughout the arc of elbow motion to determine the most isometric combinations of humeral and ulnar insertion sites. RESULTS: We could not locate truly isometric points for tunnel placement for LUCL reconstruction. For LUCL reconstruction, the position of most isometric tunnel placement was on the supinator crest 16 to 20 mm distal to the proximal margin of the radial head for the proximal wall of the ulnar tunnel, and between the 3:00 and 4:30 o'clock positions on the lateral epicondyle for the posterior/distal wall of the humeral tunnel. CONCLUSION: Similar to the native LUCL, there is no truly isometric location for LUCL tendon graft reconstruction tunnels. Also similar to the native LUCL, the distance between the optimal tunnel position decreases in elbow extension and often increases in elbow flexion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The most isometric position for LUCL reconstruction tunnel placement was defined using anatomical references.

Ipsilateral fibular transfer for a large tibial defect caused by a gunshot injury: case report.

Segmental bony defects in open fractures of the tibia are bridged with bone grafting, free vascularized fibular grafts, or an external ring fixator. A 33-year-old man sustained a gunshot injury to his left leg, resulting in Gustillo type IIIB open fractures of the tibia and fibula. The tibia had a segmental massive defect of 19 cm in the midshaft. Debridement and immediate application of an Ilizarov external fixator were performed. The midportion of the ipsilateral fractured fibula served as a bridging vascularized graft for the tibial defect. Good bony union and fibular hypertrophy were obtained. Use of a fractured fibula from a zone previously injured by a gunshot has not been reported. This case demonstrates the successful transfer of a fractured fibula for the bridging of an ipsilateral tibial defect caused by a gunshot injury.

Isokinetic strength and endurance after percutaneous and open surgical repair of Achilles tendon ruptures.

BACKGROUND: Reports on complete spontaneous Achilles tendon ruptures and associated treatment have become more frequent in the literature in the past two decades, as has the request for treatments that enable the finest possible functional recovery. The best available treatment is a matter of considerable controversy in the literature. The purpose of this study was to compare the isokinetic strength and endurance of the plantarflexor muscle-tendon unit in subjects who sustained rupture of the Achilles tendon and underwent either open surgery or closed percutaneous repair of the Achilles tendon. METHODS: Twenty patients (18 males, 2 females) with spontaneous ruptures of the Achilles tendon were included in this study. Ten patients were treated by open surgery, and 10 patients were treated percutaneously. All patients had ruptured their Achilles tendon more than 6 months before the study, and all of the ruptures occurred 3.5 years or less before the day of the testing. All patients underwent an oriented physical examination. An isokinetic Biodex dynamometer (Biodex Medical System, Shirley, NY) was used to measure ankle joint angle, and in plantarflexion to calculate the torque at the ankle joint (Newton/meter), and the average work (jouls) for both maximal power and endurance. Each measurement was compared to the normal ankle. RESULTS: Biodex dynamometer evaluations at 90 deg/sec demonstrated a significant difference of maximal voluntary plantarflexor torque, endurance performance and range of motion at the ankle joint between the involved and uninvolved sides in patients treated by either mode of treatment. Yet, no statistically significant differences were revealed for the parameters mentioned above between the subjects that were treated either percutaneously or by an open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: In functional terms, the biomechanical outcomes of open surgery and percutaneous repair for acute ruptures of the Achilles tendon are both effective.